Tension brake for braiders



July 2, 1935.

a.A E.

/NVENTOR :"/EN/V/NGv A TTORNEY Patented` `uly 2, 1935 v TENSION BRAKE `FonBRAIDEns' i Y George- E, Henning Baltiimre; Mal, assigner te VWestern Electric` Company, Incorporated, New

- "York, N.jY-acorporationof:NewI ork l Application. Apriif es; 1933 ,"y SrarNQ.

4 claims. (cree-1.7")

plies or cops are unevenand virregular due to' the method of winding the threads or strands to form the same'. The unevenness and irregularity ofthese surfaces increases as the diam 1 eter of the strand supplies or cops decreases.

it has been difficult and, in many cases, imposn sible to maintain a constant tension or drag upon the strands or threads as they are withdrawn 20 from their supplies by the use of the ordinary paddle brake, especially as the strand supplies or cops are reduced in diameter. The unevenness and irregularity of the strand supplies orfcops as they rotate continuously, oscillates the paddle brake, resulting in a loss or variation of the tension or drag of the strands or threads, as the brake is constantly being thrown outwardly and away from its contact with the peripheries of the strand supplies or cops.k Y 30 The object of this invention is to provide la brake which will continuously contact with the strand supplies or cops to maintain a constantv tension or drag on the strands or threads irrel speetive of the irregularities at the peripheries 35 of the strand supplies or cops while the strands or` threads are being withdrawn therefrom.

Other `objects and advantages `of ythe invention will be understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing, in which l Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a braiding machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an end View of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an4 enlarged sectional vieW taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3. o

In the drawing the invention is illustrated as applied to the outer orv lower strand supplies or cops, although it is to bel understood that the invention is kequally adaptable to the inner or upper strand supplies or cops of the braiding .machine.

`The outer turret I U of the braiding machine carries a plurality of thread guide supports I l, one associated with each strand supply or cop I2,

While the strand supplies or cops are rotating,V

which c'arry'at theirvouterextremities eyelets fit. l' A and which also support intermediate theirfiends eyelets leans l5 for vguiding thestrands 0'1 threads Iiilfrfom` thestrandsupplies or cops to ward the braiding center.V `The outerjturretIB alsol carriesM 'a 4.plurality of stationary shafts il tol parese/cured so aps/to rotate freelythereW onjjtheis'trand "supply 7or-:icop holders; I8.` lThe strand supplies or cops I2 are secured to the holders I8 to rotate therewith by means of latches I9.

The bracket secured to the outer turret I Il n by means of bolts 2| adjacent to each strand supply or oop I2 is provided with an extension 22 to provide an adjustable supporting means 23 for the main brake support 24. The main brake support 24 has secured thereto an extended shaft 25 for rotatably supporting brake arm 2t and coiled tension spring 21 for the brake arm. The tension spring 21 has an extension 28 at one end bearing upon the brake arm 26 to force the same toward the strand supply or cop and at its opposite end an extension 29 passing vinto an aperture in adjusting nut 30. The nut 30, freely rotatable on the free end of the shaft 25, is for the purpose of regulating the tensionof the spring 2l, which in turn regulates the tension of brake arm 26. The nut 30 is provided with lugs and is i held in lockedposition upon shaft 25 by means of a tapered pin 3i passing between the lugs and a hole through the shaft 25. k

The brake arm 26 is provided with a brake shoe 32 at itsouter end. This brake shoe 32 is formed with a concavedbraking surface 33 which con-v tacts with the strand supplies or cops. I2. The brake shoe is provided with extensions 3 and 35. The extension 34 has an aperture 36 therein through which the outer end 31 of the brake arm extends. with stops 38 against which the extension 34 of the brake shoe is held for vertical pivotal movements by spring 39, one end of which is secured thereto and the opposite endto the extension 40 of the brake arm 26. The extension wof the brake shoe 32 is formed with a relatively large aperture and stop lugs 4I to form a loose oonnection between the extension 35 and the brake The brake arm is provided arm 26. The lower wall forming the aperture 36 in theextension 34 of the brake shoe 32 isv arcuate-shaped, as shown in Fig. 4, to permit a horizontal rocking movement,as well asa vertical v outer ends 31 of the brake arms 26, are such that the brake shoes will be held in continuous contact with the strand supplies or cops I2 irrespective of irregularities of the strand supplies or cops I2.

While the invention is illustrated anddescribed more particularly with reference to tension brakes for braiding machines and the like, the invention is not conned thereto but is intended to coverl `any other uses or modifications Within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a braiding machine, a strand supply, a brake arm, pivotally movable toward and from the supply, an adjustable spring to control the tension upon said arm, a brake shoe carried by said brake arm in contact with the supply and with freedom to rock and pivot in two directions on the arm, and a spring for holding said brake shoe on said brake arm in rocking and pivotal relationship with vrespect to said brake arm.

2. In a braiding machine, a strand supply, a brake arm, a brake shoe carried by said brake arm having an aperture through which the brake arm extends, said brake shoe having an arcuate bearing surfaceV at the contact thereof with the brakearm so that said brake shoe is free to both pivot and rock on said brake arm.

3. In a braiding machine, a strand supply, a

" brake arm, a spring for forcing said brake arm toward said strand supply, a brake shoe carried by said brake arm in contact with said strand supply and free for rocking and pivotal movements on said brake arm, and a spring for maintaining said brake shoe on said brake arm while permitting said rocking and pivotal movements.

4.7In a braiding machine, a strand supply, a spring-pressed brake arm pivotall'y movable toward and from said strand supply, and a brake shoe having a spring connection with and carried by said brake arm in contact with said strand supply` having freedom to rock and pivot in two directions on said brakearm to continuously contact with said strand supply.

GEORGE E. HENNING. 

